A pro-life vigil outside the Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Ealing, west London (Photo: Getty)

The council will begin an eight-week consultation on the proposal later this month

Ealing Council has moved a step closer to banning prayer vigils outside abortion clinics after voting to open a public consultation on the move.

The council agreed the consultation on imposing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) after abortion lobbyists accused pro-lifers of “harassing” women outside an abortion clinic in the London borough.

Julian Bell, the council’s Labour leader, said the council was committed to ending the intimidation and harassment faced by those seeking legally available medical support” and called for a “national solution” to the alleged problem.